First-semester students in the Comparative and Regional Studies program are encouraged to take:

1. One regional concentration course from the list of approved regional courses for Spring 2022
2. One thematic concentration course (if thematic concentration is known; the overall list of suggested thematic concentration courses can be found here) 

OR One course on a second region

3. SIS-600 International Affairs Statistics and Methods 

In order to access any linked resource, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Mary Barton is the academic advisor for CRS.

First semester students in the Cross-Cultural Communication certificate program are encouraged to register for SIS-640 International Communication, and to discuss further course selections with the certificate academic advisor, Marisa Rivero.

Students in Development Management (DM) typically satisfy their core requirements in their first semesters and focus on their areas of concentration and the Action Research Practicum in their final semester(s). DM students who begin in the spring semester are encouraged to take:

1. SIS-726 Professional Development Management (this course is mandatory for DM students entering in a spring semester)
2. Two of the following:
   • SIS-636 Micropolitics of Development
   • SIS-637 International Development
   • An economics course (see below)
   • SIS-600 International Affairs Stats and Methods

*There are two required economics courses for DM students:

1. ECON-603: Intro to Economic Theory, AND
2. SIS-731: Economic Development.

ECON-603 is waived for DM students who pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam. If ECON-603 is waived, the degree is reduced from 42 credits to 39. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.

Mary Barton is the academic advisor for DM.

First semester students in the Ethics, Peace and Human Rights program are encouraged to register three of the following (if full-time) or two of the following (if part-time):

1. PHIL-631 Topics in Modern Moral Problems: Moral Emotions and Social Justice
2. SIS-622 Human Rights
3. An approved course for the ‘Choose One’ requirement:
   • PHIL-616 Feminist Philosophy
   • PHIL-617 Race and Philosophy
   • PHIL-612 Derrida and Buddhism
   • RELG-675 Religion and Violence
   • RELG-686-003 Islamic Resistance to Colonialism
4. For students that are clear on their plans for the focus of their concentration, a concentration course. In selecting a concentration course, students are encouraged to review the Spring 2022 Suggested Concentration Course List and discuss their selection with their academic advisor.
5. An approved methods course. Students should consult the approved methods course list when selecting a methods course.

In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Jessica MacArthur is the academic advisor for EPHR.

First semester students in the Global Environmental Politics program are encouraged to take:

1. SIS-660: Environment and Politics
2. Two of the following:
   • An approved research methods course
   • An approved natural science course
   • ECON-603: Intro to Economic Theory (students who have a background in micro- and macroeconomics maybe choose to take the Economics Placement Exam [needs a hyperlink] to determine whether they are eligible to take SIS-652: Into to Environmental Economics without first taking ECON-603.)
   • An approved “choose one” course or, after a discussion with your academic advisor, a concentration course

Students should consult approved methods course list for natural science and “choose one” courses.

In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for the GEP program.

First semester students in the Global Governance, Politics, and Security program are encouraged to take:

1. The foundations course associated with their chosen concentration: either SIS-708: Foundations of Global Security or SIS-709: Foundations of Global Governance
2. SIS-600: International Affairs Stats and Methods or an economics course

When selecting an economics course, please note that all GGPS students must complete SIS-616: International Economics. SIS-616: Int’l Economics requires prior experience with micro- and macroeconomics. Students must either pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam or complete ECON-603: Intro to Economics Theory prior to taking SIS-616: Int’l Economics. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.

3. An approved course in your chosen concentration

Students can find the list of approved concentration courses here: GGPS Approved Concentration Courses.

In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for the GGPS program.

First semester students in the IAPA program are encouraged to take:

1. SIS-761: Research Design, Analysis, and Communication
2. SIS-600: International Affairs Stats and Methods
3. A course in their intended competency track or a concentration course

Students can find the list of approved competency courses here: IAPA competency courses. Students interested in beginning their concentrations must schedule a brief meeting with their advisor to discuss their interests before selecting a course for their concentration. 

In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Marisa Rivero is the academic advisor for IAPA.

First semester students in the Intercultural and International Communication program are encouraged to take three of the following (if full-time), or two of the following (if part-time):

• SIS-640 International Communication
• SIS-600 International Affairs Statistics and Methods or an economics course. When selecting an economics course, students may choose either ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory, or SIS-616 International Economics. (Please note that students must pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam to waive ECON-603 as a pre-requisite and register for SIS-616. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.)
• A gateway course and/or concentration course(s) within the intended field of study. Students should consult the Spring 2022 Suggested Concentration Course List when selecting classes or discuss their interests with the IC academic advisor.

In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Marisa Rivero the academic advisor for IC.

Students in International Development (ID) typically satisfy their core requirements in their first semesters and focus on their Professional Track and capstone requirements after completing the core. First semester students usually enroll in:

1. SIS-637 International Development
2. SIS-600 International Affairs Stats/Methods
3. One of the following:
   • SIS-636 Micropolitics of Development
   • An economics course (see below)
   • A course for the Professional Track (see reverse of advising worksheet)

There are two required economics courses for ID students:

1. ECON-603 Intro to Economic Theory* AND
2. SIS-731 Economic Development

*ECON-603 is waived for students who pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam. If ECON-603 is waived, the degree is reduced from 42 credits to 39. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam. 

Mary Barton is the academic advisor for ID.

First semester students in the International Economics program are encouraged to discuss course selections with the IE academic advisor, Melanie Brisse.

First semester students in the International Economic Relations program are encouraged to take:

1. An economics course
   • When selecting an economics course, please note that all IER students must complete SIS-616: International Economics. To enroll in SIS-616, students must demonstrate prior experience with micro-and macroeconomics, either through passing the SIS Economics Placement Exam or completing ECON-603: Intro to Economics Theory. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
2. SIS-751: International Political Economy
3. One research and professional methods courseStudents with a background in statistics are encouraged to take ECON-623: Applied Econometrics I. Please see the IER program worksheet for a list of approved research and professional methods courses.

Please review the schedule of classes for course prerequisites. If a course has a prerequisite, please contact your academic advisor to discuss the requirement.

Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for the IER program.

First-semester students in the International Economic Relations program are encouraged to take:

1. An economics course

When selecting an economics course, please note that all IER students must complete SIS-616 International Economics. SIS-616 requires prior experience with micro- and macroeconomics. Students must either pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam or complete ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory prior to taking SIS-616. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.

2. One of the “Choose Two” IER-related courses for the Spring 2022 semester

Students can find the list of approved “Choose Two” here: “Choose Two” Courses.

3. One research and professional methods course

Students with a background in statistics are encouraged to take ECON-623 Applied Econometrics I. Students with limited statistics experience should consider SIS-600 International Affairs Stats and Methods.

In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Melanie Brisse is the academic advisor for the IER Program.

First semester students in the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program are encouraged to take:

1. SIS-734 International Peace and Conflict Resolution Seminar II
2. Two of the following (if full-time) or one of the following (if part-time): 
   • SIS-600 International Affairs Statistics and Methods
   • An economics course. Students may choose SIS-619 Economics of Violence and Peace, ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory, or SIS-616 International Economics. (Please note that students must pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam to waive ECON-603 as a pre-requisite and register for SIS-616. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.)
   • A Gateway course associated with an IPCR concentration of interest. (Please note that the Gateway course for the Culture, Identity & Peace concentration will be offered in the fall semester).
     • Reconciliation & Justice: SIS-613 Reconciliation & Justice
     • Peacebuilding: SIS-735 Peacebuilding Theory & Organization
     • International Negotiation: SIS-611 International Negotiation 
   • For students that are certain of their core concentration focus, a course from the approved list associated with that concentration theme. Students should consult the Spring 2022 Approved Concentration Course List.

In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Students pursuing a dual-degree between IPCR and the Master of Arts in Teaching or the Master of Theological Studies should consult with their academic advisor when planning their course schedule.

Jessica MacArthur is the academic advisor for IPCR.

1L JDMA students will not begin taking courses in SIS until their 2L year. 2L and 3L JDMA students should contact their academic advisor, Jessica MacArthur, for registration suggestions.

Students beginning the Master of International Service Executive degree program (MIS) in the spring semester are strongly recommended to take:

1. The core course, SIS-686-001 Proseminar: International Affairs (3 credits; offered only in spring).  

In addition, they may register for one or two of the following:

1. An Economics course (Chosen from the approved economics courses on the MIS advising worksheet)

OR

A Professional Research Methodology course (Chosen from the approved methods courses section on the second page of the MIS advising worksheet)

2. A concentration course (Concentration courses may be chosen from any of the SIS graduate offerings depending upon the student’s individual interests and training needs. A list of suggested concentrations can be found on the second page of the MIS advising worksheet. If interested in self-designing a concentration, contact your academic advisor)

Amy Newell is the academic advisor for MIS.

Students in the Master of International Service degree program following the International Studies Track for students from international partner institutions should register for three courses in their first semester:

1. A methods course, if required (see admissions letter for more information). Chosen from the approved methods courses section on the second page of the MIS:IST advising worksheet

OR

An economics course, if required (see admissions letter for more information). Chosen from the approved economics courses on the MIS:IST advising worksheet

2. Two - three concentration courses (depending on required courses listed above). Concentration courses may be chosen from any of the SIS graduate offerings depending upon the student’s individual interests and training needs. A list of suggested concentrations can be found on the second page of the MIS:IST advising worksheet. If interested in self-designing a concentration, contact your academic advisor.

Depending upon the number of credits of Advanced Standing awarded upon admission and whether a student is required to take an economics and/or methods course, students take between 9 and 15 credit hours in the concentration. *Skills institutes may only be taken toward the concentration if the student will take greater than 9 credits in their concentration.

Amy Newell is the academic advisor for MIS:IST.

The NRSD program does not admit students for a spring start.

First-semester students in the Peacebuilding certificate program are encouraged to register for SIS-733 International Peace and Conflict Resolution Seminar I, and to discuss further course selections with the certificate academic advisor, Jessica MacArthur.

First-semester students in the United States Foreign Policy and National Security program are encouraged to take:

1. One of either SIS-689 Foreign Policy: Theories of Decision Making or SIS-682 Foreign Policy: Institutions and Processes (Students will take the course they do not take in spring in the fall 2022 semester.)
2. A USFP “Choose One” course (SIS-653 Continuity and Change in USFP or HIST-661 U.S. Foreign Relations since 1918) OR a USFP “Choose Two” course (The approved USFP “Choose Two” courses for spring 2022 are: SIS-653 Diplomatic Practice; SIS-653 Grand Strategy; SIS-653 Introduction to American Intelligence; SIS-653 National Security in Cyberspace; SIS-653 Resource Allocation and National Security; SIS-653 US National Security Strategy; and the following approved courses on USFP toward a region: SIS-676 U.S.-China Relations and SIS-653 USFP Toward Latin America.)
3. SIS-600 International Affairs Statistics and Methods OR an approved economics course (see below)

When selecting an economics course, please note that all USFP students must complete SIS-616 International Economics, SIS-652 Intro to Environmental Economics, or SIS-731 Economic Development. Most students will also need to take ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory prior to taking SIS-616, SIS-652, or SIS-731. For students with strong backgrounds in economics, ECON-603 can be waived by passing the SIS Economics Placement Exam. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.

In order to access the list of approved conecentration courses, you will be prompted to log in to a Microsoft page using your AU email address and password. Please use username@american.edu not username@student.american.edu.

Melanie Brisse is the academic advisor for USFP.